Performing Arts at Brooklyn Art Cave
Performing arts programming at Brooklyn Art Cave centers live performance as a tool for creative expression, community connection, and leadership development. These programs provide consistent platforms for performers, curators, and collectives to present work while building sustainable creative ecosystems.
A defining element of Brooklyn Art Cave’s performing arts work is its long term support of artist led collectives. Two notable examples are Troublemakers and Spoken Moon, both of which originated within the Brooklyn Art Cave ecosystem and expanded into independent community platforms. Through access to space, administrative support, and creative autonomy, members of these collectives were able to host and produce their own events at Brooklyn Art Cave, strengthening both individual leadership and collective sustainability.
Troublemakers was founded by Elmer Quintero, Shakin Da World, and Harvey Leona. Spoken Moon was founded by Jenn Cisneros. Their growth reflects Brooklyn Art Cave’s commitment to long term investment in artist led leadership rather than one time programming.
Brooklyn Art Cave has also collaborated with dance and movement based artists to expand the scope of its performing arts offerings. Partnerships with facilitators such as Kanami Kusajima, Rocka Jamez and Yif Chen supported dance centered performances that emphasized embodiment, rhythm, and collective participation.
In addition to collective led programming, Brooklyn Art Cave has consistently supported independent performing arts curators across open mics, dance, and multidisciplinary formats. By providing space access and production support, the organization enabled curators to develop their own audiences and programming models while contributing to a shared creative infrastructure.
Together, these initiatives position Brooklyn Art Cave’s performing arts programming as a sustained ecosystem that cultivates artistic growth, community engagement, and leadership development. The program prioritizes recurring opportunities, collaborative stewardship, and long term impact for artists and audiences alike.
Workshops at Brooklyn Art Cave
Workshops at Brooklyn Art Cave are artist led learning experiences designed to support creative development, peer exchange, and community well being. These programs prioritize accessibility, consistency, and relationship building, offering participants opportunities to gain practical skills while strengthening social and professional networks.
Two core workshop programs anchor this work: Wicks and Wax and Sista Circle, both presented on a quarterly basis to ensure continuity and sustained engagement.
Wicks and Wax, curated by MoonlightWicks, is a quarterly candle making and guided meditation workshop aligned with the theme of a current exhibition or seasonal transition. The program integrates hands on creative practice with mindfulness, offering participants a reflective and restorative experience. By connecting making, wellness, and thematic storytelling, Wicks and Wax supports emotional well being while introducing participants to accessible creative processes.
Sista Circle, curated by Winkie Da Kidd, is a quarterly gathering that centers women business owners and creatives. The program creates a structured yet welcoming environment for peer learning, knowledge exchange, and mutual support. Participants share resources, lived experience, and professional insight, strengthening both individual confidence and collective capacity within the local creative economy.
In addition to these flagship programs, Brooklyn Art Cave regularly collaborates with independent facilitators and curators to host monthly workshops such as sketch nights, photography sessions, and other creative skill building events. These collaborations expand access to diverse artistic practices while providing facilitators with space, infrastructure, and administrative support to lead programming.
Collectively, Brooklyn Art Cave’s workshop model advances creative skill development, social connection, and community resilience. By offering recurring artist led programs rather than one time events, the organization fosters sustained participation and long term impact for artists, creatives, and small business owners.